Chapter 9 - The Wedding That Made the Most Dangerous Family in Chicago Finally Choose Love Over PowerThe wedding was held six months later.
No mansion.
No private army.
No political guests.
Just family and friends.
Sophie wore a simple ivory dress.
Gabriel wore a black suit.
No weapons were allowed inside.
Not even for security.
Gabriel wanted one day without fear.
Thomas walked Sophie down the aisle.
She looked at him.
“You were almost killed by him.”
Thomas smiled.
“Almost.”
“Are you afraid?”
“Of Gabriel?”
“No.”
She smiled.
“Good.”
At the altar, Gabriel looked nervous.
Sophie whispered:
“You're shaking.”
“I've faced armed men.”
“And?”
“This is worse.”
She laughed.
The ceremony began.
Gabriel took her hands.
“I spent my life believing love made men weak.”
He looked at Noah sitting in the first row.
“Then I met two people who made me want to be better.”
Sophie cried.
“I cannot promise you a perfect life.”
“But I promise you this.”
“You will never have to wonder where I stand.”
“I will stand beside you.”
“Not above you.”
“Not ahead of you.”
“Beside you.”
Sophie squeezed his hands.
“My turn.”
She smiled.
“When I found Noah, I thought my life had become impossible.”
“Then I met the man who came to punish me.”
Everyone laughed.
Gabriel smiled.
“He terrified me.”
“He still does.”
More laughter.
“But he also showed me something I didn't understand.”
“Sometimes the most dangerous people aren't the ones holding guns.”
“They are the ones who control others through fear.”
“You chose differently.”
“You could have become your father.”
“You didn't.”
“So I choose you.”
They kissed.
Noah shouted:
“Again!”
Everyone laughed.
Later that night, Sophie and Gabriel stood outside.
The city lights reflected on the water.
“Happy?” Gabriel asked.
She nodded.
“You?”
He smiled.
“I think so.”
“What do you think?”
“I think Michael would laugh at me.”
“Why?”
“Because he spent years telling me I'd never find a woman who could handle me.”
Sophie laughed.
“He underestimated me too.”
Gabriel kissed her forehead.
Then a phone rang.
Gabriel's expression changed.
Sophie knew immediately.
“What happened?”
“Victor escaped.”
Her blood ran cold.
“How?”
“Transfer vehicle.”
“Where?”
“Gone.”
Gabriel looked toward the city.
“He won't come for money.”
Sophie understood.
“He'll come for Noah.”
They returned home.
Noah was asleep.
The house was secure.
Thomas doubled the guards.
Then Sophie noticed the front door.
It was open.
Gabriel stopped.
Noah's room was empty.
Panic exploded.
They searched.
Nothing.
Then they found a note.
You finally built a family.
Now watch it disappear.
Gabriel closed his eyes.
Sophie looked at him.
“Where would he take him?”
Gabriel thought.
Then understood.
“The old church.”
“The place where you found the ledger.”
He nodded.
They went.
Victor was waiting.
Noah was in his arms.
Gabriel entered alone.
“Put him down.”
Victor smiled.
“You finally understand.”
“What?”
“You can't kill me.”
Gabriel stared.
“Why?”
“Because then your son grows up like you.”
Sophie entered behind him.
Victor froze.
“You.”
Sophie stepped forward.
“Put my son down.”
Victor smiled.
“You think you can order me?”
“No.”
Sophie shook her head.
“I think you’re out of time.”
Federal lights appeared through the windows.
Victor looked around.
“You called them.”
Sophie nodded.
“You said you could control us.”
She smiled.
“You forgot I learned from you too.”
Victor raised his gun.
Gabriel moved.
Thomas fired.
Victor dropped.
Noah was safe.
The final battle was over.
This time, permanently.
Gabriel ran to Sophie.
She held him.
“It's over.”
He nodded.
“It really is.”
Noah reached for him.
Gabriel took him.
May you like
The little boy wrapped his arms around Gabriel's neck.
And for the first time, Gabriel cried in front of everyone.
